Capture Manager

Katalyst Description:

We build robotic spacecraft that enable dynamic space operations, creating a future where maneuvering, upgrading, refueling, and exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained, responsive operations possible, we enable a new era of space activity that strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture:

Working at Katalyst is intense, hands-on, and deeply rewarding. You'll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way, even when it's harder. You'll work closely with thoughtful, driven teammates who push each other to do their best. Overview

The Capture Manager is responsible for leading and executing capture strategies for new business opportunities from identification through proposal submission. This role drives cross-functional coordination, customer engagement, and win strategy development to position the company for successful contract awards.

The primary focus of this role is to develop and execute capture methodologies for the go-to-market team.

What You'll Do

Capture Strategy & Execution

Lead capture efforts for priority opportunities from qualification through proposal submission

Develop and execute win strategies, including competitive positioning and discriminators

Build and maintain capture plans, including schedules, milestones, and resource alignment

Identify risks and opportunities and adjust strategy accordingly

Customer & Market Engagement

Conduct customer research to understand mission needs, priorities, and decision drivers

Support and participate in customer meetings, industry days, and networking events

Maintain situational awareness of competitors and market landscape

Opportunity Qualification

Lead bid/no-bid decisions based on strategic fit, probability of win (Pwin), and resource alignment

Assess requirements, acquisition strategies, and evaluation criteria

Proposal Team Collaboration

Partner with proposal teams to ensure alignment between capture strategy and proposal execution

Translate capture insights into proposal themes, win themes, and key messaging

Support development of outlines, storyboards, and proposal content as needed

Cross-Functional Coordination

Work closely with technical, contracts, pricing, and leadership teams

Ensure all stakeholders are aligned on strategy, risks, and execution approach

Mindset + skills (what is absolutely necessary to do the job) :

Pride in work: They hold themselves to a very high bar. They produce designs, documentation, and analyses that are correct, detailed, and ready for scrutiny.

Humility: They have a desire to take on new challenges, learn from others, and grow. They seek out missing context, ask good questions, and course-correct quickly with new information.

Technical intuition and mastery : They understand basic orbital mechanics and general concepts around space vehicle design and operation in order to meaningfully inform design trades around space vehicle systems at the architecture level.

Your Ideal Background

Required

Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)

5+ Years of experience leading or supporting capture efforts for competitive procurements from either government or commercial vantage points

Demonstrated ability to develop and/or assess win strategies and competitive positioning

Experience working with proposal teams, including shaping messaging and themes

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

Experience in government contracting or aerospace/defense industry

Engineering or technical ex perience

Deep familiarity with FAR/DFAR and government acquisition processes

Experience with customer engagement and relationship management

Understanding of pricing strategies and competitive analysis

Proven track record of wins on competitive bids

Experience using Sam.gov and other acquisition sites/tools

Additional Requirements : Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $110,000 - $180,000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan, as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130, which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently, our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information, and as a result, Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.